US Marshal Job Description and Career Opportunities in New Jersey

Fugitive apprehension is one of the main missions of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) in New Jersey. U.S. marshals in New Jersey often work as part of task forces designed to coordinate the efforts of both the USMS and its partnering agencies. For example, the USMS District of New Jersey organized Fugitive Safe Surrender in 2008 and 2009, allowing individuals with outstanding warrants for non-violent crimes to surrender while getting access to legal representation.

The District of New Jersey has field offices in Newark, Camden and Trenton.

Job and Training Requirements for U.S. Marshals Careers

U.S. marshals in New Jersey, like those in the 93 other districts throughout the United States, are responsible for providing support as the law enforcement arm of the U.S. federal courts. These highly trained law enforcement professionals may be tasked with performing a number of crucial duties to support judicial business. The duties included in a U.S. marshal’s job description include such things as criminal investigations, judicial security, witness protection, and asset forfeiture, among others.

The job and pre-employment requirements for U.S. marshals in New Jersey include:

Meeting the GL-7 federal level requirements (at a minimum, possessing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with superior academic achievement or possessing at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-5 level)

Passing a two-part competitive exam

Passing a physical fitness assessment

Passing a panel interview

Passing a comprehensive background investigation

The two-part competitive exam, which is administered only to candidates deemed qualified by the USMS via their application and resume, is a 2-3 hour test that can be taken at USMS locations throughout the U.S. From there, qualified candidates are asked to complete the employment process to become U.S. marshals.

All new trainees must complete the USMS basic academy training program, which is a 17 ½ week program that includes work in physical conditioning, firearms training, tactical training, and classroom training in topics such as:

Legal training

Computer training

Court security

Driver training

Surveillance

New Jersey’s Fugitive Safe Surrender Program

Fugitive Safe Surrender in New Jersey was conducted in Camden in November 2008 and in Newark in November 2009. Working with government, corporate, non-profit, and faith-based sector partners, the U.S. marshals in New Jersey were able to provide individuals with outstanding warrants a safe place to surrender.

In most cases, individuals were able to meet with an attorney, see a judge, and have their cases adjudicated on-site at a faith-based (church) location. Over the course of a four-day period, more than 2,200 individuals with outstanding warrants surrendered to law enforcement in Camden.

U.S. marshals in New Jersey also oversee the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, which was created in 2002. Through partnerships with more than 80 federal, state and local agencies, the Regional Fugitive Task Force works to pool resources to improve investigation and apprehension efforts targeting the region’s most dangerous and violent fugitives.